Our Staff

Kevin began working for the Commission in 2005 as a Regional Planner and was appointed Executive Director in October 2009. He has close to 20 years of community development experience in the public sector at the town, county, and regional levels of government along with private sector consulting experience. He has a Masters degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Virginia Tech and a Bachelor of Science degree from Appalachian State University.

He is a past president of the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO), and currently serving as Secretary/Treasurer of the Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions, and is on the Board of Directors for Carilion Clinic-NRV; the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce; Live, Work, Eat, Grow, Inc.; and the Southeast Regional Directors Institute.

He has received the Distinguished Business Leader of the Year Award from the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce along with the President’s Award from both the National Association of Development Organizations and the Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions. Through a collaborative leadership model, the New River Valley Regional Commission has been recognized as a Best Place to Work by the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce.

When not working, you can often find Kevin running the roads and trails around the region or wetting a line in search of fish.

Kelley joined the New River Valley Regional Commission in 2024 as Graphic Designer/Community Engagement Specialist. In this role, she employs graphic design and community engagement tools to increase awareness of local resources and opportunities throughout the New River Valley, and assists in keeping communication strong and meaningful between relevant external partners.
Kelley earned her BFA in Graphic Design and Illustration from the University of Worcester in England, and came back to the region in 2021. Since then, she has fully embraced her Appalachian heritage and enjoys helping the communities and people that are found within her chosen hometown. She spends her free time drawing, teaching art, playing video and tabletop games, and spoiling her cats.

Kathleen joined the Commission as a Regional Planner in 2021 after completing a master’s in Landscape Architecture at North Carolina State University. During her time at NCSU, she became intrigued with participatory design theory and worked to create implementable tools for diverse communities across the region. Kathleen has worked in the community engagement field for the past 6 years, in both experiential education and food access. At the commission, Kathleen focuses on communication and community outreach. She is passionate about assisting local partners envision the future of their region and connect to the environment.

Jessica joined the Commission in March 2018 as a part-time finance technician following 2 years as the Supervisor of Finance for a local school district. Prior to her work in school finance, she spent over 10 years in public accounting, with the most recent being in the tax department of a regional accounting firm.

Jessica holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy from Bluefield State College in West Virginia. She is a licensed CPA in WV and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Emma joined the New River Valley Regional Commission in 2024 as Regional Innovation Officer. In this role, she administers Virginia’s Additive Manufacturing and Advanced Materials Tech Hub initiative. Supported by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) and GO Virginia, the AM2 Tech Hub aims to position Southwest Virginia as a global leader in additive manufacturing and advanced materials solutions.

Emma holds a B.A. in Environmental Policy and Planning and a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Virginia Tech, where she focused on economic and community development. Before joining the Commission, she worked as a Research Associate at the Virginia Tech Center for Economic and Community Engagement and as a Program Assistant for the Virginia Talent and Opportunity Partnership.

Outside of work, Emma enjoys hosting a weekly jazz radio show and exploring the region's natural beauty on hikes with her husband, Jack.

Anna first joined the Commission in 2021 to support the COVID vaccine rollout efforts and is now back in 2023. She is the Project Manager for the New River Valley Recovery Ecosystem, supporting the commission’s work to address the impacts of opioid addiction and concurrent concerns such as prevention and treatment strategies, recovery and harm reduction, and food/housing insecurities in our region. Anna has made the NRV her home for over 20 years after living and traveling extensively throughout the US and is inspired to make a positive impact in our community. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Chemistry and received her doctorate in Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences from Virginia Tech with project management experience stemming from academia and the entertainment industry.

Aphi joined the commission as a regional planner in 2017 after working in Florida for 8 years. Before relocating to Virginia, she worked extensively with long range and current planning as the Senior Planner at the City of Titusville, and the City Planner at the City of Cocoa Beach Florida. Aphi was heavily involved with updating the city comprehensive plans, including compliance with water supply concurrency, working with staff, various boards, commissions and the community. She played a key role in Greater Titusville EcoHeritage Trail Plan, and was a staff liaison to the Titusville Environmental Commission.

Aphi holds a Masters degree in Water Resource Planning and Management from the University of Florida, a Masters in Planning from the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, and a Bachelors in Civil Engineering from NERIST, India. She has also completed an intensive study program in Urban Ecological Planning as a NORAD fellow in Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

Julie joined the Commission in 2024 as the Education and Training Coordinator for the NRV Recovery Ecosystem. Her work focuses on partnering with local school systems, government, community groups, and service providers in enhancing and promoting education and training to address the impacts of opioid use on individuals, families and communities.

Julie grew up in the NRV and returned to the area in 2011. She currently lives in Blacksburg with her two kids. Julie holds a MSW in macro level social work with a concentration in child welfare policy and practice from the University of South Carolina. Julie has 20 years experience working with individuals, families and communities as a case manager, service coordinator, youth counselor, childbirth and parenting educator, support group facilitator, child abuse prevention trainer, program coordinator, and doula.

Zack joined the NRV Regional Commission in late 2024. In his role as GIS Planner, he creates digital maps for a variety of applications, from public outreach to data-driven project support. He worked previously for VDOT's planning and programming department as a GIS technician.

Zack grew up in Michigan and received his bachelor's degree in environmental science from the University of Iowa in 2020, where he discovered his passion for urban planning and sustainable development. He and his wife Molly moved to the Roanoke Valley in 2022, where they now spend their time exploring the outdoors and sharing their many hobbies.

Meredith joined the Regional Commission in August, 2024 as a student intern. Currently in her third year of a criminology and peace studies degree from Virginia Tech, Meredith’s interests of study center around the intersection of substance use disorder and our criminal justice system. She questions the ways in which local institutions broadly impact our communities, aiming to facilitate change by listening to the needs of those who are too often ignored.

As a student in recovery, Meredith uses her experiences to lend insight into advocacy work while destigmatizing SUD through outreach. She serves as the vice president of VT Students for Sensible Drug Policy, a political action group that focuses on education, advocacy, and on-campus harm reduction efforts. She represented Virginia Tech as a fellow for SAFE Project’s (Stop Addiction Fatality Epidemic) national Collegiate Recovery Leadership Academy from 2023-2024. Meredith currently assists Virginia Tech’s community engagement center as a student program coordinator.

Prior to her work with the Commission, Meredith interned at a conflict resolution center in Roanoke, where she learned the ways in which restorative processes and dialogue can promote holistic community healing. She believes in the capability of radical compassion to foster a feeling of togetherness throughout the region.

Holly rejoined the Regional Commission in October 2020 to support the regional pandemic response after her first stint with the Regional Commission as an economic development planner from 1992-2001. That staff work was followed by an appointment to the Regional Commission governing board from 2005-2017. Her current work with the Regional Commission is focused on community wellbeing and partnership enhancement to address health and wellbeing needs across the region. She directs the Community Health program at the NRVRC. She brings passion and skill to addressing complex issues with a focus on regional trust and relationship building. Her current work focus includes oversight of the NRV Recovery Ecosystem program as well as leadership with the Healthy Roots Network focused on integrating health and wellbeing across organizations and communities in the region.

Her continued work in community development is on long-range goal development with community health assessments evaluation tools to create new ways of viewing and approaching issues and concepts through inclusive and diverse community engagement. Holly is a 30+ year resident of the region and holds a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from Virginia Tech.

Janet is a life-long resident of Pulaski County. After twenty-five years in the banking field she joined the Regional Commission in September of 1999 as a Project Manager. While serving as a Project Manager she worked on a number of community projects including a transitional housing center in Radford as well as the Commerce Center and Jacksonville Center in Floyd. In January 2012 Janet was promoted to Director of Finance and Personnel a position she held until retiring in September 2019. She has been in the part-time Finance Technician role since November 2019.

Chris joined the Regional Commission in December 2022. She has over 15 years of combined private and public sector experience in grant and project management including six years with the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). Through her experience, she has been involved in a wide variety of community development and economic development projects, including water and sewer infrastructure, housing, brownfield redevelopment, community service facilities, downtown revitalization and broadband implementation.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Geography with a minor in environmental studies from Emory & Henry College. She also holds a Master of Arts Degree in Community and Organizational Leadership from Emory & Henry College, as well. Chris has a passion for assisting communities with planning, development and implementation of projects that not only improve the overall community, but also enhance the quality of life for the citizens of these communities.

Kelly Patton joined the Regional Commission as a Finance Technician in 2024. She began her career in public service as a Deputy Treasurer over a decade ago and has served Giles County’s constituents as Chief Deputy since 2018.  During her time there she gained valuable experience in accounting functions such as bank reconciliations, general ledger maintenance, and financial reporting.  Additionally, she enjoyed her time engaging with the public and in cross-functional collaboration with local government offices.

Kelly earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Virginia Tech in 2008 and a Master of Arts degree in Curriculum & Instruction from Virginia Tech in 2009.  She currently serves on the New River Community Action Board as the local government representative for Giles County.  She is local to the area having grown up on a six-generation family farm in Newport, Virginia.  She currently resides in the community of Springdale located in Giles County with her husband Travis where they enjoy hiking with their dogs, gardening, and spending time on the New River.  Kelly looks forward to bringing her experience to the Commission to support the Finance Department’s growing needs while continuing to serve the New River Valley.

Bethany joined the Commission in March 2021. She began as a planning intern and was hired as an Information Specialist in May 2022. She is passionate about supporting community outreach and education initiatives while creating a high level of accessibility to the Regional Commission's resources by communicating ideas through technology and art. Her primary role is to develop and maintain content for the Commission’s digital projects and publications.

Bethany has a creative background with a Bachelors in Music Education from Radford University, and transitioned into the information technology field with a web development degree and graphic design certifications from NRCC. She is a life-long resident of the New River Valley.

Julie joined the Regional Commission in 2012 as Office Manager after working for a local remodeling firm for 6 1/2 years. Julie serves as staff support to the Regional Commission board of directors as well as support for the Commission convening role through Member Services. She also provides staff support for the Commission’s finance role for the New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Investment Board, New River Valley Commerce Park, Virginia Recycling Association, and the Southwest Virginia Solid Waste Managers Association. Julie has a Bachelor of Science degree in Design from Radford University.

Leo Priddy joined the Commission in 2023. He previously served the region as a Small Business Advisor for the Greater Roanoke & New River Valley SBDC and has several years of experience with the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce. Leo’s background lends to his passion of supporting our region, as his curiosity and resourcefulness provide his community with someone eager to help it thrive.

Leo received his Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Virginia Tech. He volunteers with several area nonprofits and currently serves on the board for the Montgomery Museum of Art & History. Leo and his wife Emily live in Christiansburg, Virginia with their dog, Odie. Their family enjoys exploring the New River Valley by hopping on the Huckleberry Trail or experiencing the countless community events in the region. 

Eli joined the New River Valley Regional Commission in 2009.  As Deputy Executive Director, he is responsible for providing oversight on more than 60 projects that comprise the Commission’s Annual Work Program and executing the day-to-day operational activities of the agency.  He has nearly twenty years of combined private and public sector experience in project management, grant writing and administration, conceptual planning and site design, community development and transportation planning, and public engagement.  Eli specializes in collaborative projects that assist communities with prioritization, pursuit of resources, and implementation of local improvements that involve public investment. 

Eli has a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering Technology and a Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Engineering Technology, from Bluefield State University.  He currently serves as the Secretary of RPO America (a national organization of small-area transportation planning professionals), Vice Chair of the NRVMPO Technical Advisory Committee, and is a founding member of the American Society of Highway Engineers, Blue Ridge Chapter.  If Eli isn’t working you can likely find him on the golf course, in the mountains, or anywhere that has good food and live music.

Christy has been a Regional Planner with the Commission since 2008. Her work program with the Commission spans a range of planning topics including hazard mitigation planning, transportation demand management, grant administration for community development, and economic development. She serves on the board of the Rural Planning Caucus of Virginia and is active in the Association for Commuter Transportation. Her background includes a degree in journalism from Ohio University and over a decade in marketing and sales for engineering and environmental services firms.

Emily joined the Commission in March 2022. She is a recent graduate from Radford University where she obtained a Bachelor's degree in Finance as well as a certification in Excel. While in school, she was Vice President of Sigma Alpha Omega, an organization that strived to do community service wherever possible. She organized and ran fundraisers to help local business and shelters. She has recently moved to the New River Valley full time and has joined the Commission to help make an impact in her community.

Kinsey joined the Regional Commission in 2023 as a Community Accountability Coordinator for the New River Valley Recovery Ecosystem. Her work focuses on supporting collaboration efforts with service providers and local governments in addressing the opioid impacts on individuals and communities. Kinsey brings experience to this work from her time with the New River Health District as a community health worker. 

Kinsey has called the NRV her home for 2 years now, coming from the Hampton Roads area, where she graduated from Old Dominion University in 2022 with a B.S in Public Health.

Jennifer joined the Commission in 2007. She works extensively with affordable housing and community development projects throughout the region, including the completion of the Regional + Local Housing Study in 2021. She is inspired by the collaborative way the Commission approaches all its work and the ability to pursue and grow relationships with funders, localities, and citizens. Jennifer is a Virginia Tech alum, a photography aficionado, and a supporter of the oxford comma.